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Nov 26, 2012
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toward syria shameful. this is just about one hour. >> good afternoon. the last session before lunch, the good guys, the special burden on democratic nations. we have a star-studded cast and i will hand it over to our moderator, kathleen koch. >> . ruhle for joining us today. the title of our panel in and of itself, "the good guys?" it reflects the self doubt that many of us have had today house we'll lot at a recent intervention in countries like iraq, afghanistan. we asked ourselves, were we the good guys? did we get it right? did we do the right thing? did we do more harm than good? in our panel today, i would like us not to look back, not to rehash the past, but let's look forward and really reflect on the lessons learned in these interventions and see how they can inform the actions of our communities of democracies as we move forward into the future. first, we have a panel that virtually needs no introduction but i will briefly introduce them. juan carlos pinzo. senator john mccain. someone who i have
toward syria shameful. this is just about one hour. >> good afternoon. the last session before lunch, the good guys, the special burden on democratic nations. we have a star-studded cast and i will hand it over to our moderator, kathleen koch. >> . ruhle for joining us today. the title of our panel in and of itself, "the good guys?" it reflects the self doubt that many of us have had today house we'll lot at a recent intervention in countries like iraq, afghanistan. we...
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Nov 21, 2012
11/12
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third, a -- syria. third, to develop its plan to meet people's basic needs in opposition-held areas, and this team will draw up recommendations for areas for further u.k. assistance. fourth and separately, my right norable friend, the secretary of state for international development, is looking at increasing our assistance to syrians affected by the conflict. this could include increasing our humanitarian medical assistance for wounded syrian civilians by providing u.k. funding for hospitals and mobile clinics and training for health workers. and we intend to launch new work to support victims of sexual violence in syria. this new package of support is around 2 million pounds of immediate comment. this comes on top of the training of citizen journalists, human rightsdvocates, doctors an syrian advocates we have provided and the equipment and water purification kits for unarmed groups that i announced during the summ. alongside the increased political and practical support, we are pressing the e.u. to in
third, a -- syria. third, to develop its plan to meet people's basic needs in opposition-held areas, and this team will draw up recommendations for areas for further u.k. assistance. fourth and separately, my right norable friend, the secretary of state for international development, is looking at increasing our assistance to syrians affected by the conflict. this could include increasing our humanitarian medical assistance for wounded syrian civilians by providing u.k. funding for hospitals...
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Nov 12, 2012
11/12
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and then there's the issue of syria. please say some words about what you see as the next steps with regard to iran. how do we see that unfolding in the time ahead? what's the way forward with syria? >> yeah. three things. one, you know, the arab spring turned out to be less spring and probably better term is arab awakening. we're going to go through springs and winters and summers and falls and it's going to vary country to country and it will take a long time. but look, it was iventable, unavoidable and actually a good thing that the people of the arab world should start taking some responsibility for their future. and there's just no going back and it is very much in our interest how these awakenings come out and that they result in societies that are democratic, that are producing a better life for their people and we should do everything we can in a smart way, recognizing we're not so popular in the middle east right now, to try to help get that outcome. there are a couple big threats to that. one is syria and i'm m
and then there's the issue of syria. please say some words about what you see as the next steps with regard to iran. how do we see that unfolding in the time ahead? what's the way forward with syria? >> yeah. three things. one, you know, the arab spring turned out to be less spring and probably better term is arab awakening. we're going to go through springs and winters and summers and falls and it's going to vary country to country and it will take a long time. but look, it was...
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Nov 26, 2012
11/12
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on the non-i live movement in syria. -- non-violent movement in syria. it will be interesting for you to hear my perspective and interesting to hear yours. i view it as the successful failure of non-violence in syria. the first six months were markedly not violent. that did not happen by chance or coincidence. there was a great deal of planning and consciousness behind it. however, syria has been isolated for a long time from the international community. people felt they have to ring gauge in self-respect and started calling for a no-fly zone. the latest slogan in the demonstration in syria started asking for international intervention. it was around this time the syrian national council was formed. the mandate was to bring help to defend the civilians protesting. the main reason the syrians did not want to back up has to do with what happened to them in the 1980's when they brutally crushed the rebellion, especially those centered in the city. 8000 people in a 27-day campaign in the month of february 1982. they felt if they backed off they would be seve
on the non-i live movement in syria. -- non-violent movement in syria. it will be interesting for you to hear my perspective and interesting to hear yours. i view it as the successful failure of non-violence in syria. the first six months were markedly not violent. that did not happen by chance or coincidence. there was a great deal of planning and consciousness behind it. however, syria has been isolated for a long time from the international community. people felt they have to ring gauge in...
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Nov 20, 2012
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has done on syria. i understand the domestic reluctance to be involved, and i do not think the region itself wants direct military involvement in syria. we need to recognize that we are facing a situation where the country might cease to exist, the infrastructure of the country might cease to exist soon with all the destruction that is going on, and we are witnessing a rise in the radicalism and particularly by radical islamist groups in the country. the sooner the regime goes, the better. everybody understands in the region that the assad has zero chance of survival. the question is what kind of serious left after he goes. the u.s. needs to be a bit more proactive in working with the russians on making sure their interests are addressed in syria. i do not think russia is wedded to assad. may be establishing a no-fly zone from turkey, may be providing direct military assistance, but something to break the region's debt lot. syria cannot afford for a long time much of the destruction that it is undertaki
has done on syria. i understand the domestic reluctance to be involved, and i do not think the region itself wants direct military involvement in syria. we need to recognize that we are facing a situation where the country might cease to exist, the infrastructure of the country might cease to exist soon with all the destruction that is going on, and we are witnessing a rise in the radicalism and particularly by radical islamist groups in the country. the sooner the regime goes, the better....
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Nov 30, 2012
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we see this daily in syria and in other corners. but we are determined to flourish in spite of all of these developments. we are determined to make israel stronger and more secure. we will always stretch one hand to look for any opportunity to knock on any door, open any window, to find a way to make peace. we will always be ready with -- ready to pull it if it becomes ultimately necessary. on this vision, hopefully one of our region coming to in my term as minister of defense -- i can tell you that from my experience, after political life there is real life waiting us. i am sure we will find a way to enjoy life without losing sight of the interests of our nation's. we will always have part of our part with the defense and intelligence issues and challenges. i thank you once again very much for the long decades of friendship and for this honor. we hold our relationship with you dependent on the defense establishment -- i hold my relationship with you highly. thank you very much. now we have something to give to you. it is a small ir
we see this daily in syria and in other corners. but we are determined to flourish in spite of all of these developments. we are determined to make israel stronger and more secure. we will always stretch one hand to look for any opportunity to knock on any door, open any window, to find a way to make peace. we will always be ready with -- ready to pull it if it becomes ultimately necessary. on this vision, hopefully one of our region coming to in my term as minister of defense -- i can tell you...
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Nov 11, 2012
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lest we forget, also on the front line of the two of syria's neighbors. he had a fascinating part to look at two of the most important issues on which the administration of's agenda. he knows about a second turns from his experience as a deputy national security adviser in the bush administration. in that second term, we saw at least two major middle east initiatives, the iraq surge and the annapolis process. we have to go second term experts to open up our discussion on what we will look for and what we should look for in the second term of president obama's administration. then i will come back and offer some remarks of my own. first we will turn to dennis ross. >> thank you for reminding me of my age. i was a child prodigy. that is why i was in the reagan administration. [laughter] it is true i have the experience of planning and working through second terms, although i think one of the most important things to keep in mind was that precisely because it is a second term, you have an administration that already has an established presence. you may well
lest we forget, also on the front line of the two of syria's neighbors. he had a fascinating part to look at two of the most important issues on which the administration of's agenda. he knows about a second turns from his experience as a deputy national security adviser in the bush administration. in that second term, we saw at least two major middle east initiatives, the iraq surge and the annapolis process. we have to go second term experts to open up our discussion on what we will look for...
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Nov 26, 2012
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at submit point we must find ways to peacefully resolve the war in syria, the conflict between israel and the palestinians, and the destabilizing threat from iran and every time and overtime we also must address the religious, economic and cultural differences that create tension and that are exploited by extremists. still, as our country emerges from a decade of large-scale conflict and confronts new fiscal constraints at home, i, frankly, worry that our political system will prevent us from making the investments in diplomacy and development that we need to ensure we protect america's interests in these volatile regions of the world. these investments unfortunately lack a constituency in the congress at a time of great fiscal pressure. indeed, we face the process of budget sequestration that would be devastating to national security, not just because what have it does to our national defense, but also for what it does to these programs that support diplomacy and enhance our quality of life. our men and women in uniform know too well what sacrifice is all about for the sake of our na
at submit point we must find ways to peacefully resolve the war in syria, the conflict between israel and the palestinians, and the destabilizing threat from iran and every time and overtime we also must address the religious, economic and cultural differences that create tension and that are exploited by extremists. still, as our country emerges from a decade of large-scale conflict and confronts new fiscal constraints at home, i, frankly, worry that our political system will prevent us from...
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Nov 27, 2012
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about syria. i've seen several iranian papers, oh, we should be doing this and oh, we should be doing something about syria and afghanistan. i want to agree with both my colleagues. but also point out that there's a are continuum here and it's a drell indicate walk. you -- delicate walk. you want the person you're bargaining with to feel an incentive to bargain, right, which means they're probably feeling a little pain or they're worried about their situation so they want to get a deal to settle something up so they can deal with their other problems. you don't want them to feel sho threatened that what they do is pull back and say we are in too weak a position to negotiate. you know, the world is surrounding us and we will be taken advantage of if we negotiate from weakness. there are problems in syria and elsewhere are real. i think the arab spring has undercut their ability to be a voice for the arabs, but it's going to require some finesse in how you deal with that so they don't simply pull ba
about syria. i've seen several iranian papers, oh, we should be doing this and oh, we should be doing something about syria and afghanistan. i want to agree with both my colleagues. but also point out that there's a are continuum here and it's a drell indicate walk. you -- delicate walk. you want the person you're bargaining with to feel an incentive to bargain, right, which means they're probably feeling a little pain or they're worried about their situation so they want to get a deal to...
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Nov 14, 2012
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, an inclusive syria, a moderate syria. we have seen extremist elements insinuate themselves into the opposition. and one of the things that we have to be on gourd about, particularly when with start talking about arming opposition, -- opposition figures is that we're not indirectly putting arms in the hands of folks who would do americans harm or do israelis harm or otherwise engage in actions that are detrimental to our national security. so we're constantly probing and working on that issue, the more engaged we are in the more we'll be in a position to make sure that we are encouraging the most moderate, thoughtful elements of the opposition that are committed to
, an inclusive syria, a moderate syria. we have seen extremist elements insinuate themselves into the opposition. and one of the things that we have to be on gourd about, particularly when with start talking about arming opposition, -- opposition figures is that we're not indirectly putting arms in the hands of folks who would do americans harm or do israelis harm or otherwise engage in actions that are detrimental to our national security. so we're constantly probing and working on that issue,...
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Nov 20, 2012
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do syria and iran have a stake in keeping the israeli gaza crisis burning? yes? [laughter] we respect your economy of language, rob. >> ok. i would like to go back to gaza, too. i have been thinking about the landscape is shifting in the region. and the players we're looking -- they coordinate in a whole new way of kind of policy. i do not want to overplay this. the concept that we can work together to create a new reality. if they have a vested interest, it is in their neighborhood. i wonder if the outcome is don't be the end of the israeli policy in support of the strangulation of gaza and the sea doesn't break out -- and see gaza break out as the palestinian state? then what does the u.s. do about that since we don't seem to have the capacity to influence the key players on the ground that that is a bad idea? and how to reshape it? >> i think your question is of absolutely right -- is absolutely right. i do not know whether anybody was planning it this way, but i think the trends -- hamas emerging as the central power in the palestinians. that is where things
do syria and iran have a stake in keeping the israeli gaza crisis burning? yes? [laughter] we respect your economy of language, rob. >> ok. i would like to go back to gaza, too. i have been thinking about the landscape is shifting in the region. and the players we're looking -- they coordinate in a whole new way of kind of policy. i do not want to overplay this. the concept that we can work together to create a new reality. if they have a vested interest, it is in their neighborhood. i...
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Nov 6, 2012
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i would not be in syria unless congress makes a declaration of war. we will not stay in afghanistan if i'm elected president unless congress makes a declaration of war. only by going through that constitutional process can we ensure that the will of the american people is addressed when we have issues like syria, afghanistan, and iraq. >> gary, this has to be rebuttal. do you want to rebut something, gary? >> i was opposed to going into iraq before we went into iraq. i did not think they had weapons of mass destruction. i thought if they had weapons of mass destruction, we have the capability to see weapons of mass destruction. afghanistan, i thought that was totally warranted. we were attacked, we attacked back. i would argue after having been in afghanistan for six months, we wiped out al-qaeda. that was 11 years ago. we should have gotten out of afghanistan 11 years ago. [applause] here we are now on iran. the demonstration after 9/11 was in iran by over one million citizens that showed up in support of the united states. and we're going to bomb ir
i would not be in syria unless congress makes a declaration of war. we will not stay in afghanistan if i'm elected president unless congress makes a declaration of war. only by going through that constitutional process can we ensure that the will of the american people is addressed when we have issues like syria, afghanistan, and iraq. >> gary, this has to be rebuttal. do you want to rebut something, gary? >> i was opposed to going into iraq before we went into iraq. i did not think...
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Nov 21, 2012
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at some point we must find ways to peacefully resolve the war in syria, the conflict between israel and the palestinians, the threat from iran and. every time and over time we must also address the differences that create tension and that are exploited by extremists. as our country emerges from the decade of large-scale conflict, confronts a new fiscal constraints at home, i worry that our political system will prevent us from making the investments in diplomacy and development we need to ensure we protect american's interest in these volatile regions of the world. these investments lack a constituency in congress at a time of great fiscal pressure. we face the prospect of budget sequestration that would be devastating to national security, not just because of what it does to national defense but also what it does to these programs that support diplomacy and enhance our quality of life. men and women in uniform know too well what sacrifice is about for our nation. for more than a decade after we were attacked on december 011, bley have fought, they have le d in distant battlefields. the
at some point we must find ways to peacefully resolve the war in syria, the conflict between israel and the palestinians, the threat from iran and. every time and over time we must also address the differences that create tension and that are exploited by extremists. as our country emerges from the decade of large-scale conflict, confronts a new fiscal constraints at home, i worry that our political system will prevent us from making the investments in diplomacy and development we need to...
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Nov 12, 2012
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what is the way forward with syria? >> three things. one, you know, the arab spring turned out to be less spring. a better term is the arab awakening. it is going to take a long time. look, it was inevitable, unavoidable, and actually a good thing that the people of the arab world should start taking some responsibility for their future. there just is no going back and it is very much in our interest how these come out and that they result in societies that are democratic and producing a better life for their people. we should do everything that we can, in a smart way, recognizing that we are not popular in the middle east, to try to get that outcome. there are a couple of big threats. one of them is syria. i am more worried about them than anything. no one is pushing off the stage. the longer that he stays, the more sectarian the conflict is going to become and the more it is opening a door to al qaeda and other terrorist groups. you are beginning to see a sectarian war, backed up by the saudis, others, and iran, that is making it star
what is the way forward with syria? >> three things. one, you know, the arab spring turned out to be less spring. a better term is the arab awakening. it is going to take a long time. look, it was inevitable, unavoidable, and actually a good thing that the people of the arab world should start taking some responsibility for their future. there just is no going back and it is very much in our interest how these come out and that they result in societies that are democratic and producing a...
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Nov 1, 2012
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whether it be in the middle east, which you read about every day, whether it be syria, iran, whether it be pakistan. continuing work in afghanistan. the sunni-shiia fault lines in the middle east. whether it be the pacific with the rise of china. we look at what's going on with the islands within the pacific. korea, 29-year-old leader in charge of korea. what is he going to do in the future? you have narcoterrorism, transnarcoterrorism, what does that mean to the future and security of our country? i don't know. but these are questions we have to take a look at. and these are questions that we have to be prepared to operate in. the other thing that i have learned frankly, the hard way, over the last several years my time in iraq is you have also have opportunists who will try to take advantage of instability and destabilizing influence and nascent governments or failing governments. and these opportunists are maybe unpredictable. and i always use iraq as an example. there's lots of opportunists in iraq. iran, turkey, saudi arabia, kuwait, nonstate actors. all opportunists trying to t
whether it be in the middle east, which you read about every day, whether it be syria, iran, whether it be pakistan. continuing work in afghanistan. the sunni-shiia fault lines in the middle east. whether it be the pacific with the rise of china. we look at what's going on with the islands within the pacific. korea, 29-year-old leader in charge of korea. what is he going to do in the future? you have narcoterrorism, transnarcoterrorism, what does that mean to the future and security of our...
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Nov 27, 2012
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prepare an attack on the reactors considering potential success of the operation against the facility in syria. and this will all remove iran's constraints to acquire nuclear weapons. so we are either -- really concerned with the situation. let me add people of iran will continue to suffer under very tough sanctions. so there are two things which must change. diplomacy and the inspections. first diplomacy. five plus one has served the purpose of the it united front. five plus one mean to me united nations security council related global responsibility, europeans like to prefer three plus three which means the european union is the major player. i'm nervous about that, if you are europe you had better say three plus three otherwise you will not be served your dinner. five plus one, of course, it is important to keep on. i think u.s. should not do what it has done, hide inside this group. u.s. has now tried to take responsibility. to change, to start with its relations with iran. isn't it time now to sort of give up on the occupation of the u.s. embassy in connection with islamic revolution 1979
prepare an attack on the reactors considering potential success of the operation against the facility in syria. and this will all remove iran's constraints to acquire nuclear weapons. so we are either -- really concerned with the situation. let me add people of iran will continue to suffer under very tough sanctions. so there are two things which must change. diplomacy and the inspections. first diplomacy. five plus one has served the purpose of the it united front. five plus one mean to me...
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Nov 16, 2012
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and complain about the russians supporting the thugs in syria. that's not something you can use the w.t.o. for. we are giving up the tools we have to try and push russia on economic issues. and we're binding ourselves to this international body which has a secret dispute resolution process with unelected bureaucrats who have no conflict of interest rules. now, that's a powerful tool we're going to use against those russians. it's worked real well against the chinese. it doesn't work against the way the chinese are manipulating their market to keep out our goods, to steal our international property, and all the host of other unfair trade practices there that the russians can just duplicate very easily. the w.t.o. is not the solution to these issues. we have more power today with a bilateral agreement. we have more power today with the capability of depriving them of a normal trade relations status with the united states. if we want to use our clout, we should vote this bill down. it's not just about syria and human rights and a host of other abuse
and complain about the russians supporting the thugs in syria. that's not something you can use the w.t.o. for. we are giving up the tools we have to try and push russia on economic issues. and we're binding ourselves to this international body which has a secret dispute resolution process with unelected bureaucrats who have no conflict of interest rules. now, that's a powerful tool we're going to use against those russians. it's worked real well against the chinese. it doesn't work against the...
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Nov 13, 2012
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so we don't have the division that we're facing in syria. so we have a unified international community and that helps support the political settlement. so i think this opportunity should be used. so far there are cycles the settlements are facing but we should have hope and faith and i think with the success of this political settlement, this provides a ground for hope in the future. thank you. >> thank you. greg? >> yeah, i'd like to echo dan in thanking you all for coming out on this very dreary day. especially after a holiday for i'm sure many of you. and thanks to ibrahim as well from doha for stage up a little bit late and giving us those great insights. as all of us know, the united states has just been through a presidential election. president obama was re-elected. and the obama administration had a number of i think foreign policy and counterterrorism successes during the first administration. obviously osama bin laden was killed in the special operations raid. president obama's oversea drawdown of tops in iraq as well as afghanista
so we don't have the division that we're facing in syria. so we have a unified international community and that helps support the political settlement. so i think this opportunity should be used. so far there are cycles the settlements are facing but we should have hope and faith and i think with the success of this political settlement, this provides a ground for hope in the future. thank you. >> thank you. greg? >> yeah, i'd like to echo dan in thanking you all for coming out on...
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Nov 9, 2012
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host: what do you think policy should be regarding syria? 5000 people killed in the uprising. caller: those rebels are not syrian. they were planted there. it is really funny. when obama put troops into israel, i think he did all of this for reelection. i am relieved mitt romney did not get elected even though i did not vote for either. i think obama might do the right thing and cut ties with israel. host: we will go to a report actually on syrian president assad. this in "usa today." he said "i am not a puppet." we have a few minutes left on the first segment of "the washington journal." we will go to pete in rhode island on the democrat line. caller: good morning. i would like to see him focus on the economy. host: specifically what part? caller: let's go with the fiscal cliff coming up. my thoughts were my belief is, and i hope somebody calls and corrects me or you correct me, if the fiscal cliff is reached on january 1, the first thing to go would be the bust tax cuts. everything else will be phased in over time. we can let the tax cuts hit. it will then come to the table
host: what do you think policy should be regarding syria? 5000 people killed in the uprising. caller: those rebels are not syrian. they were planted there. it is really funny. when obama put troops into israel, i think he did all of this for reelection. i am relieved mitt romney did not get elected even though i did not vote for either. i think obama might do the right thing and cut ties with israel. host: we will go to a report actually on syrian president assad. this in "usa today."...
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Nov 15, 2012
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they are trying to get us involved in syria. i would say, that is the place to have big cuts. we all ought to agree on doing that. i would not raise taxes. that isn't the problem. we need to cut the spending. if you raise taxes, you're going to have a weaker economy. some of the tax cuts, even for the middle class occurred with the bush administration. you do not want to raise taxes on the middle class. say, no, just do it on the rich. it will not be enough money. i think you have touched on something. i think we need to deal with the military. we can't do that unless we change our foreign policy and not assume the role as the world policeman and getting involved in all these countries. i would think the american people ought to agree on that issue more readily than anything else. i do not see why we should talk about cutting health care for children or for the elderly and social security -- i do not think that is where you start. i think we have to start by changing our foreign policy. host: as republicans come to the negotiating table in the next couple of weeks, what do you
they are trying to get us involved in syria. i would say, that is the place to have big cuts. we all ought to agree on doing that. i would not raise taxes. that isn't the problem. we need to cut the spending. if you raise taxes, you're going to have a weaker economy. some of the tax cuts, even for the middle class occurred with the bush administration. you do not want to raise taxes on the middle class. say, no, just do it on the rich. it will not be enough money. i think you have touched on...
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Nov 1, 2012
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try to reduce the instability that impact our national security, whether it be in the middle east in syria, iran, pakistan, afghanistan? whether it be out in the pacific in china. look at what is going on with the islands in the pacific. a 29-year-old leader in charge of korea. we do not know what he is going to do in the future. what does that mean to the future and security of our country? i do not know. these are questions we have to be prepared to operate in. the other thing i have learned the hard way over the last several years is you have what i call opportunists, who will try to take advantage of instability in nation-government or failing government. these opportunities may be unpredictable. i always use iraq as an example. there are a lot of opportunists in iraq. they are trying to take advantage of a situation. how does that project itself around the world? what does that mean for us as you look at future conflicts? >> former chief of staff spoke in washington earlier today. you can see his remarks in their entirety tonight at 8:00 p.m. eastern. >> i have watched shows on the we
try to reduce the instability that impact our national security, whether it be in the middle east in syria, iran, pakistan, afghanistan? whether it be out in the pacific in china. look at what is going on with the islands in the pacific. a 29-year-old leader in charge of korea. we do not know what he is going to do in the future. what does that mean to the future and security of our country? i do not know. these are questions we have to be prepared to operate in. the other thing i have learned...